MOBILE, Ala. — There might not be a more whirlwind story from the 2015 football season than that of linebacker Jake Ganus, who in December of 2014 decided to transfer to Georgia after the UAB football program shut down.

All that’s happened since arriving in Athens, Ga. is Ganus earned a starting role in the middle of Georgia’s defense, got engaged on the field after the South Carolina game and was voted permanent team captain and 2015 Defensive MVP.

Ganus poured a lot of emotion onto the turf an Sanford Stadium.

But he also has a large place in his heart for his former teammates and coaches at UAB. To show respect, Ganus put on him old UAB helmet for Thursday’s Senior Bowl practice session at Ladd-Peebles Stadium.

UGA linebacker Jake Ganus — a UAB transfer after the program folded — paid tribute to his Dragons career Thursday pic.twitter.com/TaCCa22Plq

“I’ve had that helmet with me for a while,” said Ganus after practice Thursday. “I spent three years there, I have hundreds of teammates and a bunch of coaches. I just wanted today to be the day I could just honor them. It’s all about my teammates. They got me to Georgia, those coaches got me to Georgia, those coaches they gave me a scholarship and I’m grateful to them and UAB for that. I’ll be wearing the Georgia helmet on Saturday, but I just want to take a day and thank them.